Register.



D. E. SGRAFFORD.

REGISTER. APPLICATION PH -ED AUG. 25 RENEWED JAN. 3, 1910.

Patented Feb. 22,1910.

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' fil'owill 10720171 it may concern:

STATljln Prtilhlhll filll lttlhl.

DANIEL E. S GRAFFOR-D. F PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE TO WILLIS ELECTRIC OF ILLINOIS.

Be it known that I, DANIEL E. Scnarronn, a citizen of the United States,residing at.- Pe'oria, in the county of Peoria and State ofdllinois, have invented cer ainnew and "-iiseful ln'iprovements in Registers; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact. description of the invention,

' which will enable othezs skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to registers for meters,' and refers more particularly to that class of registering devices in which the counting and indicating mechanism operates by an instantaneous 0r snap movementto record the measurement of the meter.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and substantial register of the above class in which the power required to operate the same is uniform at all times and which requires no increase in power at the time the change in the recording mechanism is ctlected,'--and my invention has other "features of improvement which will be fully "set out in the following description and particularly pointed out in the claims fol lowing cation. Y

ln the accompanying drawings. which illustrate my invention, and in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in the several views. Figure 1 is a front view oil the top portion of a con'inion and forming a part of this specifigas meter showing a face view of a regis ter containing my improvements; Fig. a

topkview of a register constructed in accordance with my in'iproveinents; Fig. a sect1onal view on the line a-o of Fig. 2 looking toward the rear plate showing the partsthereon just prior to the moment of operating the recording mechanism; Fig. 4 a sectional.vie\\' on the line aa of l ig. 2 looking toward the front plate of the register; showing the recording mechanism; and Fig. ,5, a fragmentary view showing a modi tication of the construction shown in Figs. 2 andS. v

The front and rear plates 1 and 2 re- .spe'ctively are. spaced a suitable distance apart and held together by means of the posts 3, and form bearings for the'operative parts of the register. The shaft or spindle Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed August. 25. .806, Serial No. 331,957.

ASSIGNMENTS,

METER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION REGISTER.

Renewed January 3, 1910. Serial No. 536,171.

operating diaphragms of the meter in the usual manner has a hand 5 fixedly held on the front end thereof which turns around a dial 6 on the "face plate 7 which is suitably secured to the front plate of the register, and each revolution of the said hand represents the passage of a comparatively small volume of through the meter, which in the register herein shown and described is two cubic feet. Y

Upon the shaft or spindle 41-, intermediate of the plates 1 and 2 is a worm 8 which meshes with an elongated worm gear-9 fixed on the shaft 10 which extends parallel with the-plate Qand is journaled in the bracket hearings '11 secured onto the rear plate 2. This shaft 10 is adapted for a limited longilP'atented Feb. 22, 1910.

tudinal movement in the bearings 11 and in every position of the longitudinal movej ment of the shaft 10.

The counter mechanism of this register is of the common type comprising toothed wheels 12. 13 and 141 on the shafts 15, 16 and 17 which said wheels are arranged to operate the Geneva gears 18, 19 and 20 re-- spectively which are carried respectively on the shafts 16, 17 and 21. This counter mechanism is arranged in the usual manner, and each Geneva gear is constantly locked against movement by means of its operating one toothed wheel and it requires ten'rcvolutions of each one toothed wheel to effect one revolution of the Geneva wheel which it engages. The register herein shown is what is known as direct reading and'the count thereof is indicated by the usual numbered dials 2'2, 23 and 24. on the shafts 16. 17 and 21 respectively, the numerals of which said dials appear, one at a time, through their respective sight openings 25, 26 and 27 in the face plate 8, the front plate 1 being cut away as shown back of said openings. The dials 22, 23 and 24' indicate hundreds; thousands, and ten. thousands respectively and one step of each dial represents the passage of one hundred, one thousand and ten thou-. sand cubic feet, respectively through the meter. Additional dials may be used if desired to register higher amounts.

On the shaft 1.5 is a spur gear 28 which.

meshes with the worm 29 on the shaft 10 so that when the shaft 10 is rotated the worm 29 tends to rotate the spur gear 28.

For the purpose of delaying the operation of the counter mechanism until the unit of volume indicated by the next change in the recording mechanism has just passed through the meter. and for the purpose of rendering the operation of the indicating mechanism instantaneous, the shaft 16 is arranged to gradually shift, longitudinally during the rotation thereof so that the worm 29 imparts no movement to the spur gear 28 until the end of the revolution of said shaft 10 when the shaft is returned to the initial position with a snap movement which jttllIlS the spur wheel 28 and operates the counter on longitudinally in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3 so that the thread of the Worm merely moves through the teeth of the spur gear 28 and holds said gear stationary until the offset 31 of the cam passes the corresponding offset of the cam 32 when the shaft 10 is free to return to the initial position and turn the spur gear 28.

Numerous means may be employed for returning the shaft 10 to the initial position. In Figs. 2 and 3, I have shown a bracket 38, pivoted on the spindle 39 and provided with a depending portion #10 which bears against the rounded projecting left end of the shaft 10. The bracket 38 supports a weight 37, and as the shaft-1O is moved longitudinally toward the left. by the cam members, the bracket with the weight is swung. and when the cam 31 reaches the offset of the corresponding cam 32, the weight bracket is released and'swings to its normal position to quickly return the shaft 10 to its initial position. In place of the weight, its mechanical equivalent, such as a spring may be used.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a somewhat moditied arrangen'ient of the cam mechanism and returning mechanism. Instead of having the cam member 30 engage a similar stationary cani member 82, I provide a roller 43 pivoted to the frame 2 and in position to be engaged by the cam surface of the cam nicm ber 80. As this cam member rotates over the roller, the shaft 10 is moved to the left and suddenly released, when the offset 31 the shaft to ipitial position, a cam member 33 is securedto the shaft. which has a cam surface substantially similar to that of the member 30. A roller 41 engages the cam surface of member 33 and is pivoted to the frame 2. roller 43, the ridge 33' of the cam member engages with roller 4A and quickly forces the shaft 10 back to its initial position. As shown in Fig. 3, the shaft 10 is inclined, and the angle of inclination may be sutlicicnt so that the force of gravity will tend to return the shaft 10 to its initial position after an upward longitudinal movement thereof and the form of return mechanism shown in Fig. 5 is preferable where an in clincd shaft is used. If the shaft does not return immediately by the force of gravity and sticks, the cam ridge 33 striking the roller 41 starts the shaft 10 so'thal it will return to its normal position.

ill [any other modified arrangements are also possible Which will still come within the scope of my invention, and I desire to secure the followin claims by Letters Patent.

'lVhatI claim. is: ll I na registering device, the combination of a",contin1,1ously driven rotary member, means for reciprocating said membcu and calculatfng-umechanism operated by said mcm her.

2. In a registering device, the coluliina 70' Then the offset 31 leaves the I tion of a continuously driven member. means I controlled by the continuous movement of said member to'reciprocate said. member, and calculating, mechanism operated by the reciprocation of said member.

3. In a registering device, the combina tion of a rotary member, means controlled by the rotation of said; member to reciprocate said member, and calculating mcchanism operated by the rec-i n'i'ication of said member. W

l. In a registering device, the combination displacing said member daring mined amount of rotation thereof, means for returning said member to its initial position at the end of the said predetcrn'iinedamount of rotation and calculating mcchanisnropc ated by the return movement of said member.

5. In a registering device, the combination of a rotary member, means for causing the rotation of said member to displace said nicmbcr,'means for returning the said mom her to its initial position at the end of every revolution and calculating mechanism opcratcd by the return movement of said mcm her.

(i. In a registering device. the combination of a continuously driven member, a stationary member means on the continuously driven member engaging the stationary I leaves the roller. To insure returning of l member for reciprocating said continuously i orturning the rotary member to its initial po sition at the end of each revolution and -alculating mechanism operated by the return movement of said rotary member.

S. in a registering device, the combination of a rotary memberrmeans for causing the rotation of said member to displace said member axially, means for returning the said member to its original position at the end of every revolution, calculating mechanism operated by the return movement of said member and means on the said rotary member for holding thecalculatmg mechanism inoperative during the gradual displacement of the rotary member. 7

9. In a registering device, the combina tion of a rotary member, a spiral cam having a step down offset from the highest point to the lowestpoint in the working face thereof, means engaging the said cam for displacing the rotary member axially, means 'tor-rcturning the rotary member to its initial position when the aforesaid means which engages the cam moves past the ottset in the face thereof and calculating mechanismoperated by the return movement of the rotary member.

10. In a registering device, the combination of a rotary member provided with a spiral cam having a step down offset from flies-highest point to the lowest point in the wmking face thereof, means engagingthe working face of said spiral cam for gradually displacing said rotary member, means for returning said rotary member to'the initial position when the means which engages the cam moves past the offset in the working face thereof and calculating mechanism operated by the returnmovement of said rotary member.

11. In a rcg'st ering device, the combiiia .tion of a shaft. a. spiral cam, means for engaging the working face of the cam for gradually displacing the shaft, an abrupt oiisct in the face of said cam'adapted tosuddentv release the shaft while rotating;

means for returning the shaft to the. initial position while rtitating, amt calculating mechanism operated by the return movement of the shaft.

12. In a registering device. the combination with calculating mechanism. of ii gear connected to operatesaid alculating mechanism, a rotary :-'pn'al member engaging the fllill' fltld gear, means for gradually shiftthe said spiral member during the roiittlOH thereof for holding the- 'a't'oresaicl gear inoperative and means for returning the said spiral member to the initial positionat the end of every revolution for turnirg the aforesaid gear for operating the cal? culating mechanism.

13. Tu a'regi -t'e1'ing device. the combination with calculating mechanism of a spur gz'ear arranged to operate the calculating mechanism, a rotary worm enging the spur gea r. means for shifting the worm. axially during the rotation thereof to prevent the rotation thereof from operating the spur gear, means-for returning the rotary worm to the initial position at the end of each revolution for rotating the spur gear to operate the calculating mechanisn'i.

14. In a registering device, the. combination with calculating mechanism of a spur.

gear for operating the calculating mechanism, a rotary part, a Worm on the rotary part in mesh with thespur gear, a spiral cam for gradually shifting the rotary part and worm thereon axially during the rotation thereof to prevent the rotation of the Worm from operating the spur gear, means for returning the rotary part and Worm thereon to the initial position atthe end of every-revolution for imparting movement to the spur gear to operate the -alculating mechanism.

15. In a registering device, the combination of a rotary member, a spiral cam for gradually displacing the rotary member, an abrupt ott'set iu the said cam to. permit return of the rotary member to its ini ial position at the end of each revolution, asecond spiral cam for locking the rotary mem ber against axial vibration, the said second cam \being arranged to permit advance movement of the rotary membe as the said member is rotated, and to force the rotary member to the initial position at the end of each revolution and calculating mechanism operated by the return. movement of the retary member. Q

16. In a registering device, the combina: tion of a rotary shaft, a cam for shifting the shaft longitudinally as the shaft is rotated, a second cam arranged to prevent longitudinal displacement and permit gradual advance for the shaft and calculating mechanism operated by the longitudinal movement of, the rotary shaft.

1.7. In a registering device, the combination of a rotary member, means for gradu ally shitting the said rotary n mbcr axially during the rotation thereof, means for foreing the rotary men'ibcr to the initial position at the end of every revolutionand calculating mechanism operated by the return movement of the rotary member.

18. in a registering device, the combin'ation of a rotary member, calculating mcchanism connected with said rotary member, means for causing combined rotary-and bodily movement of said member at a speed 19. In a registering device, the comhina' tion of a spur gear, calculating mechanism operated upon rotation ot said spur gear,

ioa'worm 'ear meshin with the s ur ear means for continuously rotating said worm gear, means for causing bodily movement of said Worm gear In one direction during roeaoaeo tation thereof, the speed of rotation and bodily movement bein such that the spur gear will not be rotated, and means for causi ing return bodilty movement of said Worm gear at increased s eed so that the spur gear will be rotated an the calculating mechanism operated.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my I signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

DANIEL E. SCRAFFORD.

Witnesses:

E. -M. Glues,

MARY E. CowEsYs. 

